A Thriving, Sustainable Design

Bay Meadows in San Mateo stands today as one of the San Francisco Peninsula’s most inspiring examples of sustainable community design. The award-winning, 83-acre transit-oriented neighborhood has transformed a former racetrack into a vibrant, walkable urban village where homes, parks, offices, and neighborhood retail come together seamlessly. Designed with the future in mind, Bay Meadows prioritizes reduced car dependency, with direct access to the Hillsdale Caltrain station, allowing residents to easily travel to San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and beyond. What was once an underused stretch of land has become a dynamic place where people can live, work, gather, and connect—while treading more lightly on the environment.

The thoughtful design of Bay Meadows has earned significant recognition for its commitment to sustainability and community building. In 2024, the neighborhood received the Green Building Honorable Mention from Sustainable San Mateo County as well as a Citation Award from AIA San Mateo County, highlighting its innovative planning and environmental leadership. These accolades reflect the development’s strong sustainability metrics, which include construction materials with 37% recycled content, 100% FSC-certified wood, and design strategies that achieve 43% reduced potable water use. The newest residential building, Hawthorne, also incorporates modern cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction, an emerging mass-timber technology that lowers carbon impact while enabling efficient, forward-thinking building practices.

Green space plays a central role in everyday life at Bay Meadows. The neighborhood features 18 acres of parks, trails and open space, including the 12-acre Bay Meadows Park, pocket parks throughout the community, and the beloved Persimmon Park community garden where residents grow their own produce.

California Home + Design magazine’s Michelle Konstantinovsky shares how Persimmon Park, our community garden, is informing a farm-to-table ethos at Bay Meadows.

“It may not be a day at the races, but now a day at Bay Meadows in San Mateo is so much more. The sprawling, 83-acre former horse racetrack is now home to a thriving urban village, including a community garden, high school for gifted youth, apartments, and townhomes. Thanks to some sustainably minded architects and developers, the underused piece of land is now prime real estate in one of the country’s most densely populated metro regions. Situated mid-way between San Francisco and the tech-centric South Bay, Bay Meadows has completely transformed since the 2008 racetrack closure. The star of the new site is undoubtedly Persimmon Park, the 99-bed community garden designed by CMG Landscape Architecture …Exemplifying a true “farm-to-table” ethos, gardeners grow organic veggies in the planter boxes, grill them on the barbecue, and serve them to community members on an outdoor table.”

Beyond its parks, Bay Meadows was intentionally designed for walkability and everyday convenience. Walkscore.com ranks the neighborhood highly among walkable communities on the San Francisco Peninsula, thanks to its proximity to transit, shopping, groceries, parks, and community amenities. Residents can stroll along Delaware Street, the neighborhood’s lively retail corridor, where local favorites like Blue Bottle Coffee, Fieldwork Brewing Company’s beer garden, Bahche Mezzehouse & Wine Bar, The Breakfast Club, and Sidewalk Juice create a welcoming hub for gathering and dining. A nearby farmers’ market and the vibrant restaurants of downtown San Mateo are just minutes away, making it easy to support local businesses while reducing the need for car trips.

Today, Bay Meadows continues to evolve as a place where thoughtful design meets modern living. The blend of sustainable architecture, transit access, green infrastructure, and neighborhood retail creates a community that feels both current and timeless. Whether commuting via Caltrain, tending vegetables at Persimmon Park, or meeting friends along Delaware Street, residents experience a lifestyle shaped by sustainability and connection. To learn more about Bay Meadows’ sustainable design, neighborhood amenities, and community vision, visit baymeadows.com.

Discover Life in Balance at Field House Bay Meadows

For those seeking a thoughtfully designed place to lease in San Mateo along the San Francisco Peninsula, Field House at Bay Meadows stands out as a community made for modern, active living. Part of The Apartment Collection at Bay Meadows, Field House features a diverse mix of 108 flats and 17 townhomes, offering one-, two-, and three-bedroom residences that suit everyone from professionals and pet parents to growing families. Inside each home, generous layouts are elevated by large-format windows, up to 10-foot ceilings in select residences, private patios or front stoop entries, and contemporary finishes including stainless steel appliances, plank flooring, solid-surface countertops, walk-in closets, and in-home washer and dryers—details that make it easy to picture planting roots here.

Daily life at Field House naturally flows outdoors, where residents gravitate toward the heated outdoor swimming pool, a true hub of the community. Mornings often start with laps or a workout in the functional fitness center, while afternoons invite poolside lounging or casual gatherings around the outdoor fireplace, barbecues, and dining areas. The clubroom with chef’s kitchen and shuffleboard table is equally popular, hosting everything from impromptu dinners to playful evenings with neighbors. With thoughtful conveniences like EV parking, secure bike storage, personal storage, and concierge-style services including package acceptance and dry-cleaning lockers, Field House supports a lifestyle that’s both active and well-organized.

Tails will be wagging! Field House is especially appealing to residents with dogs who appreciate flats with private patios. Four-legged companions are welcome throughout Bay Meadows, from scenic walking paths and pocket parks to Field House’s pet grooming spa that keeps muddy paws at bay. Just beyond the front door, Bay Meadows unfolds as one of the Peninsula’s most walkable and vibrant neighborhoods. Residents can stroll to Hillsdale Shopping Center, Whole Foods, Sidewalk Juice, Blue Bottle Coffee, Fieldwork Brewing Company’s beer garden, Bahche Mezzehouse & Wine Bar, or enjoy a leisurely brunch at The Breakfast Club. Community favorites like Basecamp San Mateo, home to a free weekly run club, and Clayroom San Mateo add creative and wellness-driven ways to connect with neighbors and make new friendships close to home.

We invite you to find your fit from the mix of plans at Field House and join the neighborhood at Bay Meadows, a transit-oriented, mid-urban community centrally positioned in San Mateo with easy access to both San Francisco and San Jose via Hillsdale Caltrain. Here, residents enjoy 18 acres of open space, miles of walking, jogging, and biking trails that connect directly to the Bay Trail, and a network of pocket parks with basketball courts, bocce, playgrounds,picnic lawns, and the beloved Persimmon Park Community Garden, where plots are available to rent. It’s a place designed for movement, connection, and balance—where work, play, and everyday life come together seamlessly.

Ready to explore life at Field House? View current availability and floor plans here, or contact the leasing team to book a personal tour and experience Field House at Bay Meadows firsthand.

The Russell Puts Home and Play at Front and Center

For those searching for a home that balances everyday ease with an energetic vibe, The Russell at Bay Meadows stands out as a natural fit on the San Francisco Peninsula. Centrally located in San Mateo, adjacent to Hillsdale Shopping Center, this transit-oriented, mid-urban community places residents just steps from dozens of cafes, restaurants and retailers, parks, and miles of walking and biking trails. Hillsdale Caltrain blends into the neighborhood for seamless commuting to both San Francisco and San Jose – serving as a key transit hub for residents of Bay Meadows and those that work at neighborhood employers such as Roblox.

The Russell offers the comfort of a true residential retreat paired with the energy of a thoughtfully designed neighborhood—ideal for young professionals, growing families, and those looking for a well-connected, minimal maintenance lifestyle.

The Russell’s 158 one-, two-, and three-bedroom flats are designed with both style and functionality in mind. Inside each residence, you’ll find stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, wood flooring, recessed lighting, walk-in closets, central heating and air conditioning, and an in-home washer and dryer. Many homes feature private patios, balconies, or front stoops, extending living space outdoors and creating a welcoming connection to the community beyond your front door. It’s a home that feels modern, comfortable, and easy to live in—whether you’re hosting friends or settling in after a long day.

Life at The Russell extends well beyond your apartment walls. Residents enjoy access to a heated outdoor swimming pool and spa, fire pits and a pétanque court for relaxed social gatherings, a clubroom with billiards, and a fully equipped functional fitness center. Pet lovers appreciate the pet-friendly atmosphere, complete with an on-site grooming spa, while EV parking, secure garage access, dedicated bike storage, and a bike repair workshop support an active, sustainable lifestyle. Bozzuto’s concierge-level services like “Away from Home” and package acceptance, add another layer of convenience to the resident experience at The Russell.

Perhaps what resonates most is how connected life feels at The Russell—something residents experience every day. “One of the best parts of living at The Russell is the location. Everything I need is within walking distance, from coffee shops to shopping and dining. It feels connected and accessible while still being a comfortable place to come home,” shares Victoria C.

From morning walks through winding pathways and pocket parks, and days spent planting roots in a garden plot in Persimmon Park Community Garden to evenings spent at Fieldwork Brewing’s San Mateo Beer Garden at Bay Meadows, playing bocce and dining on delicious bites from Bahche Mezzehouse & Wine Bar or relaxing poolside, The Russell offers a lifestyle rooted in community and ease.

To see if this is the right fit for you, explore current availability and floor plans and contact the leasing team to book a personal tour today.